Well this is the last chapter I hope this book has been everything you expected. Once again if you would like to read the next two books PM me and I'll send them to you.

All rights owned by Stepanie Meyer.

EPILOGUE: AN OCCASION

Helping Bella into the car, very carefully, being extra careful with her leg that had a cast on it. Ignoring the angry look on her face. After she was settled, I went around and got in the driver's side. I started to reverse out of the driveway.

"At what point exactly are you going to tell me what's going on? She asked grumpily.

She hated surprises, but I loved them and I loved surprising her. But, for her not to figure this one out was a surprise to me. How could she not figure this one out with the two of us all decked out like we were attending a wedding?

"I'm shocked that you haven't figured it out yet." I smiled in her direction.

"I did mention that you looked very nice, didn't I? She verified.

"Yes." I grinned. The fact was I was wearing a black tuxedo, which, I thought would give the evening away for certain.

"I'm not coming over anymore if Alice is going to treat me like Guinea Pig Barbie when I do." She griped.

Bella spent a good part of the day allowing Alice to do her hair, make up, and dress her for this evening's festivities. This was exceptionally pleasant for me because she never looked more beautiful than she did at this moment. Having to find a way to repay Alice for all that she had done.

My cell phone began ringing and I took it from my pocket, glancing at the caller ID to make certain it was actually him who was calling.

"Hello, Charlie," I said.

"Charlie?" Bella frowned.

"You're kidding!" I laughed.

"What is it?" Bella demanded.

Ignoring her. "Why don't you let me talk to him?" I suggested.

"Hello, Tyler, this Edward Cullen." I said pleasantly. "I'm sorry if there's been some kind of miscommunication, but Bella is unavailable tonight." Changing my tone to a threatening one, I continued. "To be perfectly honest, she'll be unavailable every night, as far as anyone besides myself is concerned. No offense. And I'm sorry about your evening." Snapping the phone shut, I smirked.

Bella became quite angry, her face flushed crimson and her eyes began filling with tears.

"Was the last part a bit too much? I didn't mean to offend you."

She ignored that.

"You're taking me to the prom!" She yelled.

Here we were again, her reaction never seeming to surprise me anymore. "Don't be difficult, Bella."

She looked out the window refusing to look at me.

"Why are you doing this to me?" She demanded.

Pointing to my tuxedo. "Honestly, Bella, what did you think we were doing?" Unable to figure her out. Why would she cry, it was not that tragic, it was just a dance. And what did she possibly think we were doing all dressed up?

"This is completely ridiculous. Why are you crying? I demanded, frustrated.

"Because I'm mad!"

"Bella." Gazing right into her eyes. How could this anger her so, it's just a stupid high school dance. After everything we've been through it's really nothing.

"What?" She muttered.

"Humor me." I insisted.

My eyes remained on hers pleading with her.

"Fine," she pouted. "I'll go quietly. But you'll see. I'm way overdue for more bad luck. I'll probably break my other leg. Look at this shoe! It's a death trap!" She held out her good leg as evidence.

"Hmmm." Staring at her leg probably longer than I should have. "Remind me to thank Alice for that tonight."

"Alice is going to be there?" She said comforted.

"With Jasper, and Emmett… and Rosalie," I admitted.

"Is Charlie in on this?" She asked.

"Of course." I grinned, and then laughed. "Apparently Tyler wasn't, though."

We arrived at the school; Rosalie's red convertible was in the parking lot. The clouds were thin today, a few streaks of sunlight escaping through far away in the west.

Getting out, I walked around to open Bella's door, holding out my hand to her. She sat stubbornly in the seat, arms folded. There were too many witnesses around for me to pick her up out of the seat.

I sighed. "When someone wants to kill you, you're brave as a lion –and then when someone mentions dancing…" I shook my head.

She gulped.

"Bella, I won't let anything hurt you –not even yourself. I won't let go of you once, I promise."

Her face began to relax and she was caving.

"There, now," I said gently, "it won't be so bad." Leaning down I wrapped one arm around her waist. She took my other hand and let me lift her from the car.

Keeping my arm tightly around her as she limped towards the school.

Being the biggest place in town, the prom was held in the school gymnasium. Once inside Bella giggled. There were Balloon arches and twisted garlands of pastel crepe paper festooning the walls. All the makings of a typical high school event.

"This looks like a horror movie waiting to happen." She snickered.

"Well," I muttered, as we approached the ticket table. "There are more than enough vampires present."

The dance floor was full of students encircling two sets of couples who were dancing around the floor. The other dancers pressed to the sides of the room to give them space. Emmett and Rosalie were twirling around, so were Jasper and Alice, while the others were watching them. They looked like professional dancers moving flawlessly and gracefully.

"Do you want me to bolt the doors so you can massacre the unsuspecting townsfolk?" She whispered.

"And where do you fit into that scheme?" I glared.

"Oh, I'm with the vampires, of course."

I smiled reluctantly. "Anything to get out of dancing."

"Anything."

I bought our tickets, and then turned her toward the dance floor. She cringed against my arm and dragged her feet.

"I've got all night," I warned.

Eventually I towed her out to where my family was dancing not seeming to be noticing the music or style suitable for this event.

"Edward." She said dryly. "I honestly can't dance!" She said panic stricken.

"Don't worry, silly," I whispered back. "I can." I put her arms around my neck and lifted her feet on top of mine.

We were twirling around the floor just as the others were.

"I feel like I'm five years old," she laughed after a few minutes.

"You don't look five," I murmured, pulling her closer for a second.

"Okay, this isn't half bad," she admitted.

Staring at the door, for him to be here, on this night was unacceptable. The fury inside me was building. She was safe, I had made sure of that and for his father to send him here irritated me. My body went rigid as I stopped dancing.

"What is it?" She wondered.

She followed my gaze where she saw Jacob Black crossing the floor toward us.

I snarled very quietly.

"Behave!" Bella hissed.

"He wants to chat with you." I said scathing.

Jacob reached us then, he seemed embarrassed and apologetic.

"Hey, Bella, I was hoping you would be here." He said unconvincingly.

"Hi, Jacob." She smiled. "What's up?"

"Can I cut in?" he asked glancing at me.

Keeping my composure, I simply set her carefully on her feet, and took a step back. It was her choice, everything was her choice, and although I didn't approve, I would allow Bella her choice.

"Thanks," Jacob said.

Blaming the child I couldn't, it wasn't his fault, having know idea what he was doing here. His father forced him to come and he couldn't really understand why. He knew there was something about me that was not ideal, but he still hadn't figured out what that was. He was unable to believe their legends, yet. This was unfair of his father to do this to him.

Nodding I glanced at Bella before turning and walking away.

Listening intently from across the room.

"Wow, Jake, how tall are you now?"

"Six-two." He said smugly.

"So, how did you end up here tonight? She asked already assuming.

"Can you believe my dad paid me twenty bucks to come to your prom?" He admitted, ashamed.

"Yes, I can," she muttered. "Well, I hope you're enjoying yourself, at least. Seen anything you like?" She teased.

"Yeah," he sighed. "But she's taken."

He wasn't teasing and his innuendos were offensive. His thought were annoying and it was becoming difficult to stand by and do nothing. He had answered one thing correctly, as she was taken.

"You look really pretty, by the way," he added.

His thoughts were wrapping around her and very unpleasant, while anger was wrapping around myself. He had nerve walking in here and talking to my girlfriend this way. This behavior was uncalled for; surely he could see how happy she was.

"Um, thanks. So why did Billy pay you to come here?" She asked changing the subject.

Jacob was frustrated with the change of subject. "He said it was 'safe' place to talk to you. I swear the old man is losing his mind."

Billy Black was pushing the limits. How would I stand by for this? How do I not say or do anything to defend myself? Supposing there was no way of defending myself, he was telling the truth, but his approach was deplorable.

"Anyway, he said that if I told you something, he would get me that master cylinder I need," he confessed with a grin.

"Tell me, then. I want you to get your car finished."

Standing against the wall watching Bella's face, desiring to know if it was really I, she wanted. If there was the slightest chance… she wanted something else… I needed to know. If she had feelings for Jacob, I would not stand in her way.

"Don't get mad, okay?" he said ashamed.

"There's no way I'll be mad at you, Jacob," she assured him. "I won't even be mad at Billy. Just say what you have to."

"Well –this is so stupid, I'm sorry, Bella –he wants you to break up with your boyfriend. He asked me to tell you 'please.'" He shook his head in disgust.

Billy feels strongly about this, he wanted Bella as far away from me as possible. Understanding where his fear came from, anger still filled me, knowing he would stoop this low, sending this child to fight his battles.

"He's still superstitious, eh?"

"Yeah. He was… kind of over the top when you hurt down in Phoenix. He didn't believe…" Jacob trailed off.

Bella lied. "I fell."

"I know that." Jacob said quickly.

He believed her, but there was a small part of him that knew something wasn't right about her story. Not believing his father, the story was just to wild, although he knew something was not right about my family. He couldn't trust me, and the feeling was mutual.

"He thinks Edward had something to do with me getting hurt." She was angry.

They stood looking away from each other awkwardly.

"Look, Jacob, I know Billy probably won't believe this, but just so you know" –she spoke honestly- "Edward really did save my life. If it weren't for Edward and his father, I'd be dead."

This was the truth, as she knew it. I on the other hand, knew if it weren't for me, she wouldn't need saving. Bringing with me the only danger she faced, if not for my world and I, she would be safe.

"I know," he claimed.

"Hey, I'm sorry you had to come do this, Jacob," she apologized. "At any rate, you get your parts, right?"

"Yeah," he muttered.

"There's more?" She asked in disbelief.

There was so much more, not that Jacob was going to share everything with her. He was going to hold back a lot about how his father was feeling.

"Forget it," he mumbled, "I'll get a job and save the money myself."

"Just spit it out, Jacob." She glared at him.

"It's so bad."

"I don't care. Tell me," she insisted.

"Okay… but, geez, this sounds bad." He shook his head. "He said to tell you, no, to warn you, that –and this is his plural, not mine" –he lifted one hand up making little quotation marks- "We'll be watching."

That was all I could take, I'd kept my silence long enough, he said what he came to say and it was time to take her back. Prolonging this conversation any longer, I was furious enough, and couldn't take anymore. Not needing another reason to hurt this boy, I walked back over to Bella.

"Do you want to dance again? Or can I help you get somewhere?"

"That's all right, Jacob. I'll take it from here." I answered with chagrin.

Jacob was startled, and stared wide-eyed at me, standing next to them.

"Hey, I didn't see you there," he mumbled. "I guess I'll see you around, Bella." He stepped back, waving at her.

She smiled. "Yeah, I'll see you later."

"Sorry," he said again before he turned for the door.

I wound my arms around her and the next song started. Even though the tempo was up beat I remained dancing slow. She leaned her head against my chest, such a pleasurable feeling having her close to me again.

"Feeling better?" She teased.

"Not really," I said abruptly.

"Don't be mad at Billy," she sighed. "He just worries about me for Charlie's sake. It's nothing personal."

This was nothing but personal and she couldn't understand that. Billy didn't want me anywhere near Bella and for good reason. Being mad at Billy I was not, I understood why he was doing what he was, and I respected him for that. His son on the other hand, had a different agenda, his thoughts about Bella angered me.

"I'm not mad at Billy," I corrected. "But his son is irritating me."

She pulled back and looked at me. My face was very serious.

"Why?"

"First of all, he made me break my promise."

She stared at me in confusion.

I half-smiled. "I promised I wouldn't let go of you tonight," I explained.

"Oh. Well, I forgive you."

"Thanks. But there's something else." I frowned.

She waited patiently.

"He called you pretty," I finally continued, frowning deeper. "That's practically an insult, the way you look right now. You're much more than beautiful."

Not able to tell her about Jacob's feelings, it would be unfair. He didn't mean for her to know and it wasn't my place to reveal them. Being certain she wouldn't reciprocate his feelings, it would only crush him for her to know.

She laughed. "You might be a little biased."

"I don't think that's it. Besides, I have excellent eyesight."

We were dancing again, her feet on mine.

"So are you going to explain the reason for all of this?" she wondered.

Looking down at her for a moment, confused by her question. She looked around at the crepe paper and I understood.

Considering that for a moment, I then changed direction of our dance, spinning her through the crowd to the back door. I walked her through the back door outside, into the cool, dim light of a fading sunset.

As soon as we were alone, I scooped her up and carried her across the dark grounds to a bench. I sat there, keeping her cradled to my chest. The moon was out and visible threw the clouds.

"The point?" She prompted softly.

Ignoring her I stared up at the moon.

"Twilight, again," I murmured. "Another ending. No matter how perfect the day is, it always has to end."

"Some things don't have to end," she muttered through her teeth, instantly tense.

I sighed.

"I brought you to the prom," I said slowly, "because I don't want you to miss anything. I don't want my presence to take anything away from you, if I can help it. I want you to be human. I want your life to continue as it would if I'd died in nineteen-eighteen like I should have."

This was my wish for her, to live a normal human existence despite my presence in her life. Wishing for her to experience all the things she would if I was not here. And I wished for her to be happy.

She shuddered at my words shaking her head. "In what strange parallel dimension would I ever have gone to prom of my own free will? If you weren't a thousand times stronger than me, I would never have let you get away with this."

I smiled briefly. "It wasn't so bad, you said so yourself."

"That's because I was with you."

We were quiet for a minute; I stared at the moon and she stared at me.

"Will you tell me something?" I asked, glancing down at her with a slight smile.

"Don't I always?"

"Just promise you'll tell me," I insisted, grinning.

"Fine." She said with regret.

"You seemed honestly surprised when you figured out that I was taking you here," I began.

"I was," I interjected.

"Exactly," I agreed. "But you must have had some other theory… I'm curious –what did you think I was dressing you up for?"

Instant regret as she hesitated. "I don't want to tell you."

"You promised," I objected.

"I know."

"What's the problem?"

This must have been more embarrassing then I assumed the answer would be.

"I think it will make you mad –or sad."

I thought about that for a moment, there's nothing she could say that would make me mad or sad. "I still want to know. Please?"

She sighed. I waited.

"Well… I assumed it was some kind of … occasion. But I didn't think it would be some trite human thing… prom!" She scoffed.

"Human?" I asked flatly. My curiosity was at its peak. What could she possibly be thinking? If not human what else? What conclusion could she come to?

She looked down at her dress, fidgeting with a stray piece of her dress. She was stalling. I waited in silence.

"Okay," she confessed in a rush. "So I was hoping that you might have changed your mind… that you were going to change me, after all."

What was this? She thought I was going to do what? Always knowing she was unstable, I just didn't know how deep it ran. I was wrong… I was upset… I was sad… all kinds of emotions sprung up at this moment. She couldn't really wish I would do that. Collecting my thoughts, I ended up actually amused.

"You thought that would be a black tie occasion, did you?" I teased, touching the lapel of my tuxedo jacket.

Attempting to hide her embarrassment. "I don't know how these things work. To me, at least, it seems more rational than prom does." I was still grinning. "It's not funny," she said.

"No, you're right, it's not," I agreed, my smiling fading. "I'd rather treat it like a joke, though, than believe you're serious."

"But I am serious."

Sighing deeply. "I know. And you're really that willing?"

Bringing me pain to think about ending Bella's life. Unable to do that, even if she wished for it. Needing to amend her mind, she shouldn't think this way.

"So ready for this to be the end," I murmured, to myself, "for this to be the twilight of your life, though your life has barely started. You're ready to give up everything."

"It's not the end, it's the beginning," she disagreed under her breath.

She didn't understand what this meant. She couldn't begin to understand the things she would have to give up. And just to be with me was certainly not reason enough.

"I'm not worth it," I said sadly.

"Do you remember when you told me that I didn't see myself very clearly?" she asked, raising her eyebrows. "You obviously have the same blindness."

"I know what I am."

She sighed.

Shifting my mood I glared at her eyes, then examined her face for a long moment.

"You're ready now, then?" I asked.

"Um." She gulped. "Yes?"

Smiling I inclined my head slowly until my lips were brushing against her skin below the corner of her jaw.

"Right now?" I whispered, breathing on her neck.

She shivered involuntarily.

"Yes," she whispered.

Her body was ridged as a plank, her hands balled into fists, and her breathing was erratic…

Chuckling darkly I leaned away.

"You can't really believe that I would give in so easily," I mocked her, disappointed she would want this.

"A girl can dream."

"Is that what you dream about? Being a monster?"

"Not exactly," she said, frowning. "Mostly I dream about being with you forever."

"Bella." My fingers lightly traced the shape of her lips. "I will stay with you –isn't that enough?"

She smiled under my fingertips. "Enough for now."

Frowning at her words, exhaling, sounding more like a growl.

She touched my face. "Look," she said. "I love you more than everything else in the world combined. Isn't that enough?"

Here we were once more at an impasse, but I had time on my side, I would make her see that what she wanted was not reasonable. Convincing her that we could spend the rest of her life together, happy, with no changing. To love her and have her love me as long as her time permitted. All of this would certainly be enough for me.

"Yes, it is enough," I answered, smiling. "Enough for forever."

I leaned down to press my lips once more to her throat.

That's all she wrote as the saying goes. I hope it was enjoyable. Thanks again for reading.